The Bobcats were struggling immediately thanks to the Mohawks’ press defense, letting the game get away to the eventual 85-22 scoreline.

“I think from the tip we got out-physicaled, out-hustled,” Murphy said. “We know we’re a young team and we know we’re outsized, but at some point we’ve got to stop looking for reasons we’re not doing things and start executing.”

Marshalltown (0-7, 0-3) trailed 24-6 after the first quarter, as the full-court pressure — something Murphy said the team knew was coming and tried to prepare for — was suffocating, leading to turnovers and mistakes the Mohawks capitalized on.

MHS got to double-digits at the halftime break, scoring 11, but Mason City was already ahead by 42. It left another second half for the Bobcats of trying to limit the damage and give their players confidence instead of a chance at the win, something that was clearly gnawing at Murphy.

T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING

The Bobcats have just one senior, and new arrival Sophie Younkin scored a team-high six points in her return to action after not starting the season as a member of the team. Sara Huffman hit the team’s only 3-pointer and joined Lily Roberts and Malena Kammerer with four points each.

But Murphy said it’s time for the young group to show some progress, and it starts in practice.

“We’re at the point this season where a lot of the lack of progress we are making or not making has to do with what our practices look like,” Murphy said. “We’ve been preaching all season that the physicality of our practices has to match what we’re seeing in a game. And we’re just not at that point yet.”

Reggi Spotts scored 21 points and Jada Williams had 18 to pace the Mohawks (1-8, 1-3), who emptied the bench in the second half as the Bobcats continued to struggle scoring the ball.

The Bobcats play at Ankeny on Friday night.

Mason City 85, Marshalltown 22

MASON CITY (1-8, 1-3) — Jada Williams 6 5-5 18, Ashley Latham 1 0-0 2, Grace Berding 3 2-2 10, Reggi Spotts 8 2-2 21, Kelsey McDonough 4 0-0 10, Emma Rickers 1 0-0 2, Briel Jones 1 0-0 2, Emma Hollander 1 0-0 3, Ellie Kotta 3 1-2 10, Jenna Braun 2 0-0 4, Jaelyn Falls 1 1-2 3, Isabelle Harty 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 31 11-13 85.

MARSHALLTOWN (0-7, 0-3) — Rachel Smith 1 0-0 2, Lily Roberts 2 0-0 4, Sara Huffman 1 1-2 4, Malena Kammerer 2 0-0 4, Kaylin Smith 1 0-0 2, Mya Gallegos 0 0-0 0, Carlye Castillo 0 0-0 0, Amaya Moore 0 0-0 0, Sophie Younkin 3 0-2 6. TOTALS 10 1-4 22.

MASON CITY 24 29 14 18 — 85

MHS 6 5 3 8 — 22

3-Point Goals–MC 12 (Kotta 3, Spotts 3, Berding 2, McDonough 2, Williams, Hollander), MHS 1 (Huffman). Team Fouls–MC 7, MHS 10. Fouled Out–none.